CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 6, 2012 -- The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is holding its 8th annual Leadership Summit on Thursday, November 1, 2012 at the Sheraton Hotel in Boston. The free event aims to illuminate the latest trends in preclinical and clinical research for neurodegeneration and the converging roles of the patient, foundation and pharmaceutical company.
The Leadership Summit will begin with a rapid-paced series of presentations from renowned researchers and neurologists, including: Robert Brown, M.D., Ph.D., chair and professor, department of neurology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School; Neil Cashman, M.D., chief scientific officer and co-founder of Amorfix Life Sciences and professor of neurology at the University of British Columbia; Steve Perrin, Ph.D., CEO & chief scientific officer of ALS TDI; and Jan Willem Vrijbloed, Ph.D., chief scientific officer at Swiss biotech Neurotune.
Additionally, the event will include a panel of industry and thought leaders involved in improving the pace at which new discoveries made in the lab are translated into health-improving treatments for patients today, including: Iris Low-Friedrich, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president of global projects and development and chief medical officer at UCB SA; Mark Namchuk, Ph.D., senior vice president of research, North America at Vertex Pharmaceuticals; and Lesa Mitchell, vice president of innovation and networks at the Kauffman Foundation. The panel will be moderated by Amy Dockser Marcus, reporter for The Wall Street Journal.
"Advancements in medical research happen every day. In today's rapid-fire information environment it becomes crucial that we do everything we can to help patients, caregivers, research and funders alike to understand what those new 'ah-ha!' moments mean to patients today. We need to both bridge the so-called 'valley of death' for diseases such as ALS, but at the same time we need to bridge the understanding gap and make science approachable," said Steve Perrin of ALS TDI.
The Institute will also announce this year's Leadership Award recipients during the Summit. Each year, ALS TDI recognizes four individuals nominated by their peers for their efforts in raising awareness of and funding for research into an effective treatment for ALS.
The Leadership Summit begins at 9:00 a.m. and is free and open to the public. Lunch is provided, and there will be a cocktail and networking reception at the close.
PR Newswire